Percy Onyeka
Authorities in the United States have speculated that precipitation and chilly weather may have contributed to the helicopter crash that killed Herbert Wigwe, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank Plc, together with his spouse and son, as well as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the immediate past Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc.
Speaking during a media briefing Saturday (3am Nigerian time, Sunday), a National Transportation Safety Board member, Michael Graham, said officials were on the scene to gather perishable evidence.
Graham said the team was “methodically and systematically reviewing all evidence” and considering all potential factors to determine the probable cause of the crash.
He added that although the information provided was only preliminary, witness reports suggested that a wintry weather condition was among the factors that contributed to the accident.
“The crew consisted of a pilot in command and a safety pilot. The accident flight was operated by Orbic Air LLC as a Part 135 charter flight.
“Witness reports of the weather conditions at the time of the accident suggest rain and a wintry mix.
“The helicopter was not equipped with a cockpit voice recorder or a flight data recorder. This helicopter was not required to be equipped with those types of recording devices,” Graham said.
Asked about more information on the passengers, Graham stated there were no details but added that “any names will be released through the coroner’s office” without specifying a time frame.
He added that the NTSB would look into the chopper’s airworthiness; maintenance and structure of the helicopter, operations, meteorology, and air traffic control.
“Parties to the investigation include the FAA and Orbic Air LLC. As the investigation continues, other parties could be named,” he said.
“The BEA, the French aviation accident investigation agency, will serve as an accredited representative because France is a state of the manufacturer of the Airbus helicopter and the Turbomeca engine.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP, Peter Obi and other corporate leaders in the capital market and banking sectors have continued to mourn the sudden death of Dr Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director, Access Bank Holdings Plc and immediate past chairman of Nigerian Exchange Limited, NGX , Abimbola Ogunbanjo, expressing shock and sadness.
Wigwe, his wife and son together with Ogunbanjo died on Friday following a helicopter accident in the United States.
Meanwhile, Access Holdings Plc , has confirmed the death of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife and son, in a helicopter accident in the United States.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, on Sunday.
The statement said, “It is with deep sadness that the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc, announces the passing of Dr. Herbert Wigwe, CFR, the Company’s founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc (‘the Bank’).
“Dr. Wigwe died alongside his wife and son on Friday, February 9, 2024 in a helicopter accident in the United States of America.
“The entire Access family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones.
“Dr. Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.
“Commenting on the passage of Dr. Wigwe, Mr. Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings said: The Access family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr. Wigwe who was a great friend and fine gentleman. He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience which he brought to bear on the Access Family and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude.
With his friend and business partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Dr. Wigwe co-founded Access Bank, which has grown significantly. Before taking the helm at Access Holdings in 2022, he became leadership of Access Bank Group in 2014, concentrating on the Bank’s growth in Nigeria and Africa. Access Bank advanced its African strategy under his direction, becoming to be the biggest retail bank in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of clientele.
Dr. Wigwe served on the boards of the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) and Access Bank UK. He has long supported the goal of eliminating malaria in Africa by collaborating with the Corporate Alliance on Malaria. Additionally, he was a member of the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA). He has long been an advocate for the eradication of malaria in Africa, working with the Corporate Alliance on Malaria to support this objective. He also sat on the board of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company and Friends Africa and was an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Institute of Credit Administration.”
Techrectory with Agency Report
